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Article IndexSays he is defending himself from Christie comments
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Ousted state education commissioner Bret Schundler Wednesday released emails and a chronology related to the Christie administration's unsuccessful attempt to gain $400 million in federal Race to the Top education aid that led to his firing Friday by Gov. Chris Christie.
"I've held up distributing this chronology of events because I haven't wanted the education agenda I support to be harmed by Governor Christie being weakened,'' Schundler said in an email statement. "But the governor saying yesterday that I lied to him forces me to defend myself.''
Christie fired Schundler, a key member of his cabinet, after New Jersey finished 11th and behind nine states and the District of Columbia, which collected $750 million to $75 million each.
Schundler conceded after the firing that he made the application mistake that cost the administration the aid. But earlier last week, Christie stated Schundler had told him he corrected the mistake in person during discussions with federal officials. When a tape of the meeting showed Schundler did not make the correction, the governor fired him. Earlier this week, Schundler said he never told Christie he corrected the mistake.
Meanwhile, the state Board of Education Wednesday held its first meeting since Schundler's firing.Board President Arcelio Aponte said the panel is disappointed New Jersey did not finish in the money but he told The Star-Ledger "Not winning funds does not weaken our resolve.''
Chronology of Events by Bret Schundler
Last Wednesday, while criticizing the Obama Administration during a press conference, the Governor made a statement in support of an argument he was trying to drive home. Unfortunately, the statement was untrue. I had stressed this point to him when he told me what he planned to say, right before the press conference began. I had also discussed the matter at length with his Chief of Staff and his Director of Communications the day before, so they knew the facts of the matter.
On Thursday, the Obama Administration released a video tape that proved the statement was untrue. The Governor was embarrassed. Rather than acknowledge his culpability for the false statement, he fired me — his Commissioner of Education — charging that I had given him and his staff bad information on the point in question. But I had not. I had given them correct information. The Governor's charge against me is false.
You have admitted making an error. YOU were the person responsible for the presentation and, as such, must accept the blame.
There was no doubt that there would be a clash of egos between you and the Governor. You are both highly intelligent ego-driven men -- but the bottom line is that HE, as Governor, should have the last word.
Please accept that with your inherent good manners and retire from the field . I have no doubt that your reputation will be restored when all of the facts are made public, but this incessant quarreling has a negative impact on your public image. You have too much to offer as an administrator and advocate of charter schools to allow what has become a petty quarrel to tarnish your reputation.